Beavercreek Studio Video Production Rates
These rates based on recommendations from Medium.com, and are adjustable for the Pacific Northwest region. Positions are explained, followed by rates which depend on the complexity of the job TBD post consult and experience level of the producer/technician/assistant.
Video Rate Card
Pre-Production
Executive Producer
An Executive Producer (EP) is a role that is often found in the video content production industry. The EP is usually the person who is responsible for overseeing the production from start to finish. This can include managing budgets, coordinating with different departments, and working with the creative team to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
Oftentimes, EP’s are the point-of-contact for all parties involved, including clients, agencies, vendors, and so on. In most cases, an EP is involved in the creative process, too, offering input on the direction of the project and making decisions about casting, location scouting, editing, and other important aspects of the project.
Day Rate Range: $1,000-$2,500
Producer
A Producer is the person who is responsible for overseeing the practical filming of a project. The producer’s role can vary depending on the project and the specific responsibilities that have been assigned to them. Producers may also be involved in the marketing and promotion of a project to build buzz and attract an audience. In some cases, if an EP isn’t involved, a Producer may also be responsible for securing financing for a project and for finding distribution outlets for the finished content.
Day Rate Range: $1,000-$1,500
Line Producer
Line Producers are often the first person hired on a crew and are involved throughout all stages of a project. Tactically speaking, they are less involved in the creative decision making, and more so focused on the logistical components of executing the project.
Day-to-day, they are responsible for all aspects of field production, including budgeting, hiring crew members, making sure everything is running on schedule among other logistical issues. The line producer will oversee the production wrap and hand it over to the post-production supervisor (as necessary).
Day Rate Range: $750-$1,250
Production Manager
A Production Manager is a person who is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a film, television, or video content production. The production manager works closely with the producer and other members of the production team to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
Day Rate Range: $800-$1,500
Location Scout
A Location Scout is the person responsible for finding and securing locations for a project. The location scout works closely with the producers and the visual team to identify locations that will be suitable for the project and that meet the needs of the shoot.
While not always a necessity for a project. When they are needed, they are sure needed.
Day Rate Range: $800-$1,200
Art Director
An Art Director is a team member who is responsible for the visual appearance of a project. The art director works with the producers and other members of the production team to create a visual style for the project and to oversee the design and execution of all visual elements, including sets, costumes, and props.
Day Rate Range: $800–1,000
Production Assistant (PA)
The role of a Production Assistant (PA) can be quite varied, and PA’s may be called upon to perform a wide range of tasks to support the production team. Essentially, they will be tasked with anything the production team needs when planning and preparing for a project.
Day Rate Range: $250-$400
Miscellaneous
In many cases, additional team members who are involved in other stages of production can be brought in as well. Some of these positions include Directors, Writers, Editors, and so on. This is necessitated by the scale of the project and the overall budget.
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Production
Director
During the filming phase, the Director is the leader of a project, and oversees the creative aspects of a video content production. The director works with the producer and other members of the production team to bring the script, story, and idea to life, and is responsible for guiding the performances of the talent and making creative decisions about how the story should be presented on screen.
Day Rate Range: $1,200–2,500
Director of Photography (DP)
A Director of Photography (DP) is a team member who is responsible for the look and feel of the visual elements of a video content production. The DP works closely with the Director to create a visual style for the project, and is responsible for planning and executing all aspects of the cinematography, including camera placement, lighting, and the use of different lenses and other equipment.
Day Rate Range: $1,000-$1,500
Camera Operator
A Camera Operator, oftentimes referred to as a B-Cam Operator, is responsible for operating the second camera during filming. The b-camera is typically used to capture additional coverage of a scene or to provide different angles or viewpoints of the action. The c-cam operator works closely with the director of photography (DP) and other operators (who are responsible for operating the primary cameras) to ensure that the necessary shots are captured to support the overall vision of the film or show.
Day Rate Range: $600-$800
Drone Operator
A Drone Operator is a person who is responsible for operating a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during a video content production. The drone operator works with the director, director of photography (DP), and other members of the production team to capture aerial footage that can be used in the final product. This is considered a niche position, and often incurs a higher day rate due to the specific nature of the position.
Day Rate Range: $750-$1,500
Assistant Camera (AC)
An AC is responsible for assisting the camera operators and the rest of the camera crew in the setup and operation of the camera and related equipment.
Day Rate Range: $400-$600
Sound Mixer
A Sound Mixer is a person who is responsible for capturing and mixing the live audio throughout the filming of a video content production. The sound mixer works closely with the director and other members of the production team to ensure that the sound quality of the final product is of the highest quality before editing.
Note: this position and day rate often includes the cost of gear.
Day Rate Range: $800-$1,200
Gaffer
A Gaffer is the lighting technician on a video content production. The gaffer works closely with the director of photography (DP) and the lighting crew to plan and execute the lighting setups for each scene. This is a highly technical role and experience is prioritized.
Day Rate Range: $500-$750
Grip Department + Grip
A Grip Department, or an individual Grip, are/is a member(s) of the video content production team whose primary responsibility is to handle and set up the various equipment required for a shoot. This can include everything from lighting and rigging to camera support and grip gear.
The grip department is responsible for ensuring that all of the equipment is set up safely and correctly, and that it is positioned in a way that allows the camera crew to capture the desired shots. The grip team works closely with the camera department to achieve the desired look and feel of the footage, and to ensure that all of the equipment is functioning properly throughout the shoot.
One benefit of hiring a grip department is that they can transport equipment to and from a shoot. This appears in the form of a Grip & Electric Truck, referred to as “1–3–5 Ton Trucks”
Grip Truck
1-Ton Truck Range: $250-$450/Day
3-Ton Truck Range: $450-$700/Day
5-Ton Truck Range: $700-$1,000/Day
Grip
Day Rate Range: $400-$600
Hair & Makeup Stylist (H/MU)
A Hair & Makeup Stylist (H/MU) is responsible for applying hair and makeup to on-camera talent to enhance their appearance for the camera. In the context of video content production, the H/MU artist works with the director and the rest of the creative team to understand the desired look and feel for the project, and then uses a range of techniques to achieve that look.
Day Rate Range: $600-$800
Wardrobe Stylist
A Wardrobe Stylist is responsible for selecting and coordinating the clothing and accessories that will be worn by on-camera talent in a video content production. The wardrobe stylist works closely with the director and the rest of the creative team to understand the desired look and feel for the production, and then selects and coordinates the wardrobe accordingly.
Day Rate Range: $600-$800
Production Assistant
See above, and apply on-set principles.
Day Rate Range: $250-$400
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Post-Production
Video Editor
A Video Editor is responsible for assembling and cutting together the video footage to create a finished product. In video content production, the video editor works with raw footage and other media to create a cohesive, visually compelling story. This typically involves selecting and trimming footage, arranging and rearranging shots and scenes, and adding transitions, effects, and other elements as needed.
This position can vary widely depending on the project. For example, some projects call for Editor-specific styles, such as commercial editor, documentary editor, and so on.
Day Rate Range: $800-$1,200
Audio Engineer
An Audio Engineer is responsible for capturing, processing, and manipulating audio for video productions. This can include everything from recording dialogue and sound effects on set, to mixing and mastering the audio in post-production. Audio engineers work with the rest of the creative team to understand the desired audio aesthetic for the production, and then use a range of audio recording and processing techniques to achieve that aesthetic.
Day Rate Range: $500-$750
Sound Designer
A Sound Designer is responsible for creating the audio elements for a video content production. This can include everything from designing and creating original sound effects and audio environments, to selecting and editing pre-existing audio elements. The sound designer may also be responsible for synchronizing the audio with the video footage, and for ensuring that the audio is of high quality and free of technical issues.
Day Rate Range: $600-$1,000
Visual Effects Artist (VFX)
VFX stands for visual effects, and a VFX artist is responsible for creating and integrating special effects into a video content production. This can include everything from adding computer-generated imagery (CGI) and compositing to create realistic environments, to adding special effects like explosions or particle effects. The VFX artist works with the rest of the creative team to understand the desired visual aesthetic for the production, and then uses a range of VFX techniques to achieve that goal.
Day Rate Range: $750-$1,000
Colorist
A Colorist is responsible for adjusting the color and tone of video footage in post-production. This can include everything from adjusting the overall color balance of the footage, to selectively color grading specific elements within the frame.
Day Rate Range: $600-$1,000
Production Companies + Advertising & Marketing Agencies
Production Company and/or Advertising & Marketing Agencies
A Production Company — or in some cases, Marketing and Advertising Agencies — handles all aspects of making video content from start to finish. In many cases, these companies will take a 10% overall fee based on the scale of the project and budget. For example, if a budget is $100K, a company will take $10K that covers all pre-production expenses.
Other times, a flat fee will be charged. This is largely dependent on the rates an individual and/or company has in-house.
Day Rate Range: Varies
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